BPNJ: Old Challenges, New Opportunities

The New Year brought a good crowd out to the Build Program Not Jails meeting at the IMC last night, including County Board member Chris Stohr (D – District 10) who has worked with the local criminal justice system as a mental health counselor at the jail. He was among many residents and students who came out with an interest in a more just and supportive community, rather than one that’s just part of the mass incarceration problem in America.

They discussed the Bail Reform Act which replaced a previous system that was easier for judges to ignore and ineffective. There was a recent presentation by States Attorney Julia Rietz and Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Allen Jones at the last County Board Committee of the Whole. It is state legislation that affects the county in some ways, but in others the county had already implemented reforms on their own. The presentation video is twenty five minutes (direct link here) followed by questions from the board beginning at roughly the hour mark here.

They discussed the recent quashing of thousands of warrants by Judge Difanis for lesser offenses. The move was seen as a benefit for low income folks who'd have difficulty paying and only more so if jailed for non-payment as opposed to any danger to the community. The News-Gazette has more information on that here: Judge 'quashed' thousands of warrants.

They mentioned an interest by County Board member Robert King, who sits on the justice and social services committee, in ensuring the Racial Justice Task Force recommendations are carried out and not forgotten. Public input, pressure and accountability will be necessary to ensure positive changes in the future. BPNJ appears more than motivated in that regard.

They discussed ideas for collaborations with CU Citizens for Peace and Justice and its Courtwatch program and the desire to inform the public of the realities of the criminal justice system here, with a concern for privacy and other legal issues. Courtwatch has volunteers that attend criminal trials as members of the public to observe and at the request of defendants.

The recent homelessness panel was discussed and its focus on local business concerns which had the effect of sliding into more of dealing with the nuisance than assistance. Shelter accessibility, distances/bussing, strict controls, and forced detox issues were discussed within the group. Winter services and access in general were discussed. CU-MTD has a list of some warming centers and other winter services here.

Issues with housing discrimination and felony convictions, including work to end a Champaign ordinance that makes such discrimination legal and extremely problematic. Urbana appears to have an ordinance to protect from such discrimination, but there are issues with enforcement. Research on landlords raised questions on 49 of them.

Life intervened and I had to leave early, but they continued working towards a new year full of some of the same stubborn problems with ensuring justice over mass incarceration. New opportunities to collaborate with other groups locally and in the region as well as local elected officials taking an interest in ensuring the RJTF recommendations become reality instead of forgotten ring in the new year. Jail populations are down and no new jails were built after constant and passionate work by this group. If you're interested in joining them, come on out to the next meeting at the IMC, January 31, 2018, at 7:00PM.